Crowd applauds as Washington Fire Chief Mike Vaughn asks for job back

WASHINGTON — Washington Fire Chief Mike Vaughn tearfully thanked a standing-room-only crowd Monday night at the Washington District Library for a City Council meeting.

About 100 residents and firefighters, some who spilled into a hallway, came to show their support for Vaughn, whose contract wasn’t renewed last month by the board that oversees the Washington Fire Department, a not-for-profit organization.

“I could never imagine what happened to us on Nov. 17, and I could never imagine what has happened now,” Vaughn said. He was referring to the EF-4 tornado that ripped through Washington and the board’s decision seven months later to let him go.

He asked the board to give him back the job he loves, and the crowd responded with a prolonged standing ovation.

Vaughn, 55, is the department’s first full-time fire chief. He was hired by the board in 2008 after retiring as East Peoria’s fire chief and was granted a three-year contract renewal in 2011.

He was honored earlier this year by state and national organizations for his heroism while the tornado was battering Washington.

Another speaker Monday was Washington volunteer firefighter Brian Barron, who represents the department on the five-member board. He was the lone board member in the audience.

Barron abstained in the otherwise unanimous vote not to renew Vaughn’s contract, which expires this month.

He said other board members became “upset and defensive” last fall when department members suggested dissolving the board.

“Then the tornado hit and the anger went away. Or so we thought,” Barron said.

Barron urged the audience to attend the board’s monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the fire station at 200 N. Wilmor Road.

Resident Douglas Marshall said the board’s decision to fire Vaughn has been “universally condemmed,” and if the decision isn’t reversed, the board risks losing the confidence of not only the city of Washington but the department.

“There’s no good reason to let go such a talented fire chief,” Marshall said. “Washington is fortunate to have someone with his training, knowledge and expertise.”

An online petition drive launched June 30 had resulted in 1,268 signatures as of Monday.

The petition asks for Vaughn’s reinstatement to reflect what Washington wants.

Washington Mayor Gary Manier and Vaughn are longtime friends.

“But everyone needs to realize the fire department board is a private board and the city one seat on it,” Manier said. “We have no jurisdiction.”

Bob Linsley is the city’s representative on the board. He’s serving as president, as voted by the board, which also includes representatives from the Central Fire Protection District and Pleasant View Fire Protection District.

There have been calls for the city of Washington to take over the Fire Department. But Manier said the department serves a 47-square-mile area that includes the city and the two fire protection districts. Of those 47 square miles, the city’s part is only 17 square miles.